Wayward Strand

But Why ThoKyle Foley

90/10

Wayward Strand isn’t a perfect game, but it is darn near close. It doesn’t overwhelm players or force their hand but allows plenty of freedom within the confines of the closed-in space of the airship. I will absolutely be replaying Wayward Strand several times to explore the rest of the story options, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Australia has a long history and heritage in video games, but very rarely do I see Australian game developers aim to contribute to our national body of narrative work like Wayward Strand does, and I cannot express in words just how admirable I find this effort to be.

WellPlayedChantelle McColl

9.5/10

With its eccentric elderly cast, intricate themes, unique agency mechanics and narrative structure, Wayward Strand is a compelling experience that reels you in and leaves you wanting to call your grandma.

RPGFanAudra Bowling

90/100

Wayward Strand is a heartfelt, touching story that grows on you the more you play it. I found myself caring a lot about Casey and the people she encountered at the hospital, and I started thinking about what I might uncover the next time I played the game the second I completed my first playthrough. That, to me, makes the title a success! I love the messages the story conveys, and the amount of care and thought that was clearly put into it. Wayward Strand is a feels-inducing, gentle sort of tale. For those looking for that type of story, Wayward Strand should not be missed!

Press StartJames Wood

8.5/10

Wayward Strand offers up a uniquely Australian take on the narrative adventure game with a gorgeous art direction and moving portrayal of hard-working people in a harsh system. Despite a couple of pacing issues and an unforgiven save system, Wayward Strand is an approachable and hugely enjoyable little world to explore and find some catharsis in.

Adventure Game HotspotJoe Keeley

85/100

With buckets of charm and heart, Wayward Strand’s floating hospital for the elderly will delight you with its unusual real-time gameplay and exceptionally well-written characters.

TwinfiniteKeenan McCall

When all is said and done, Wayward Strand is a great narrative experience but not a game for everybody. For those willing to give it a look, though, it's a game that offers characters who players won't be able to keep from falling in love with and the experience it offers will stick with whoever plays it long after the credits roll.

Screen HypeMelika Jeddi

7.6/10

Despite the game’s many excellent qualities, there were just too many flaws for me to fully appreciate this game. I found it to be unbearably slow. Perhaps with some tweaking I would have had more fun, but even then, I’m not sure I’m quite the right target audience. I think I’ve been spoiled by all the other games I’ve played over the years. I’m used to such continuous action, this type of slow-burn doesn’t appeal to me as much. I can’t deny how well-written this game is. I didn’t spot any glaring typos or grammar issues. The story is deep and moving, and I can totally unders…

NoobFeedKurtis Seid

75/100

Wayward Strand is great for players who love talking with NPCs and hearing their thoughts and opinions. However, this is very much in the form of a journalistic interview; Casey lacks the charisma or drives to shape the outlooks of seasoned adults. Still, it can be great fun to unravel the mysteries and stories by just happenstance.

COGConnectedJaz Sagoo

74/100

The possibilities and methods to tell innovative stories in video games are almost endless. Some titles allow you to navigate the direction of the narrative whereas others simply provide a premise where you discover the plot in a non-linear manner. Wayward Strand resides in the latter of these. With the freedom to wander the cozy premises at your own pace, is this trip to the airborne hospital one worth taking?

StartMenuTyler Denyer

Unscored

While this game is overflowing with charm and a unique tone, in the end, each day has a finite amount of time, and choosing whom you spend time with is much more critical in Wayward Strand than any other aspect of the game. It is a thoughtful game that tackles humanity in a way that few others have, unfortunately, the game is hampered by mechanical resistants and the pressures it puts on the player. This paired with the lack of in-depth conversation as the weekend goes on, means even when touching on broad topics such as World War Two, sometimes conversations just end before you can really hav...

Rock Paper ShotgunRachel Watts

Unscored

A heartfelt story about growing up and getting old with an interesting time mechanic set inside an airborne hospital.